Golfballs recipe

I have loved golfballs ever since I was a kid. I always thought they were really hard to make but they are surprisingly easy. The reason I thought they were hard is because my mum never had a food processor so the biscuits had to get broken up in a bowl with a mallet, which let me tell you, takes AGES!

I don't have a food processor either and I used to do it the same as my mum, but I found a way to break up the biscuits quickly and easily without a food processor. I put the biscuits in a ziploc bag and then step all over them! Ok, Ok you may think that's weird but it works! You can also use a rolling pin if you like instead because that also works haha!

Makes: approx 25 - 30 (all depends on how big you make your balls)

Prep time: approx 30mins

Setting time: approx 30mins

Ingredients:

1 250g pack of Marie biscuits
1/2 cup of dessicated coconut (plus more coconut for rolling in)
2 tablsepoons of cocoa
1 tin 395g sweetend condensed milk

Instructions:

1. Crush up all the biscuits whichever way you like (or you can do it like me) then put into a big bowl.

2. Add the cocoa and coconut, mix then add the condensed milk and mix some more. This is your golfball mixture.

3. Put some extra coconut in a seperate bowl ready for the rolling.

4. Using a teaspoon, scoop small amounts of mixture and roll into balls with your hands. Then roll in the coconut bowl.

5. Do this until all mixture is used. You will need to continually wash your hands because they get a bit sticky unless you wear gloves.

6. Set aside balls on a tray already lined with baking paper and then put them in the fridge for approx 30mins.

7. Enjoy!

This is such a simple recipe and they are delicious! Perfect for kids and also fun for them to make with you.

Do you have a favourite food you loved as a kid?

Not sure if this is legendary material

Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu

Rating: 3 out of 5 hearts
320 pages
Released: November 2011
Buy it @ book depository

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills. 

Review

I've heard a lot of good things about this series and I was really looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately it wasn't as good as I had hoped. The story was fairly predictable, about a girl living the rich luxurious life and a boy living the poor low life. They meet and the action begins.

The mystery and suspense kept me intrigued enough, but I saw a lot of things coming. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but it didn't feel like there was anything new to this that I haven't already read. One thing I did like was the romance between June and Day. There were some swoony moments that were quite nice and done well, no insta-love here.

It's clear this book is merely written to set up bigger things, there's lots of conspiracies going on but not much is revealed. I will read the rest of the books in the series but I'm not in any rush to do so. I'm hoping for a bit more in the second novel.

 

On the cover 

This cover is very stiff and stark. It's not all that appealing to me and even after reading this I don't know what the symbol is on the front cover. Can someone explain it to me please?!

What I'm reading next: Wildlife by Fiona Woods

Crackle Nail Polish

I know you've probably seen tons of crackle nail polish already as it's old news but it's another mani that I love doing because it's so simple and looks amazing! Many of your favourite nail polish brands have their own crackle nail polish so take your pick which one you would like to use.

Step 1. Apply base colour - my color is white.
Step 2. Once base coat is dry, apply your crackle nail polish colour.
Step 3. Watch your nail polish crackle before your eyes!

Tips.
The thicker you apply your crackle top coat, the bigger the crackle is.
Try not to go over the crackle too many times because it may not work.
Always apply a clear top coat to make it shiny as most crackle polishes dry with a matte look.

Which colours do you like best?

Tell me your grace

Graceling (Graceling Realm #1) by Kristin Cashore

Rating: 4 out of 5 hearts
352 pages
Released: January 2009
Buy it @ book depository

In a world where people born with an exceptional skill, known as a Grace, are both feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing.

Feared by the court and shunned by those her own age, the darkness of her Grace casts a heavy shadow over Katsa’s life. Yet she remains defiant: when the King of Lienid’s father is kidnapped she investigates, and stumbles across a mystery. Who would want to kidnap the old man, and why? And who was the extraordinary Graced man whose fighting abilities rivalled her own?

The only thing Katsa is sure of is that she no longer wants to kill. The intrigue around this kidnapping offers her a way out – but little does she realise, when she takes it, that something insidious and dark lurks behind the mystery. Something spreading from the shadowy figure of a one-eyed king...

Review

 

I'm a bit behind on reading this as all threee books in the trilogy have already been released, but now I can read them all without having to wait for them to be released. 

If you're a fantasy lover then you MUST read this series, I think you will really enjoy it. It was a unique and interesting story that I've never read before. As it explains in the blurb above, certain people are born with a special 'grace' and one of these people is Katsa, our main character.

Katsa is tough, she may have small flaws but overall she is strong physically and strong in mind about what is right. I became attached to her straight away, she may kill and hurt people but I thought she was a very inspirational role model. She stands up to what is right and decides that she no longer wants to do the bidding of an evil and corrupt king. 

We are introduced to Po in the beginning when he confronts Katsa and I knew right away he was going to be the love interest, I just didn't know how he was going to fit into the story. As we go on his love and fondness for Katsa slowly grows and gives you all those nice feelings. I wasn't expecting what happened to him.

I liked how there weren't any huge cliffhangers at the end, this journey has ended but everything is not right with the kingdom. I can see that there is so much more of the seven kingdoms that needs to be explored and rebuilt. I am really looking forward to finishing this series.

The next part is a bit of a spoiler if you haven't read the book but I want to mention it. I wasn't happy with how King Leck was killed, he was such a hateful and manipulative man that he deserved to die dramatically and painfully. I feel his death wasn't bad enough for him, but that's only my opinion.

 

On the cover

 

How badass does Katsa look! That weapon looks dangerous (and heavy!). The snowflakes are a great touch and this scene actually happens in the book. I don't think I would normally pick up this book based on the cover but I'm glad to have read it.

 

What I'm reading next: Legend by Marie Lu

2013 was a year full of great movies

There were so many movies that I loved last year and there's still some that I haven't got around to watching yet. You'll notice there's been a lot of sequels released this year and I've enjoyed them. Here is a list of all the fantastic movies that I loved and if you haven't seen any of them yet then get on it!

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Needless to say I loved this movie. I am a HUGE fan of Lord of the Rings and I will snatch up any chance there is to be in this world again.

 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

In one word: Flawless. Catching Fire was so amazing and true to the novel, I can not wait to see what they do with the next two movies. Good for people who may not have read the books. 

We're the Millers

So hilarious and crude at times but it made it all the more funny. I was laughing through the whole movie. I love Jennifer Aniston and she is gorgeous in this, she's done quite a few good comedies lately. 

World War Z

Such an epic movie, so suspenseful! I hate zombies but this wasn't the usual gore zombie movie, it was more of a quiet scary film with an interesting storyline.  

This is the end

This was an unexpected awesome movie. I had heard nothing about this and was surprised at how funny, scary and weird this was. A real favourite and what movie with the Backstreet Boys in it isn't awesome?! 

The Conjuring

WOW this was scary! One of the scariest movies I've seen and I've seen a lot. I hear there is going to be a sequel and I can't wait for that!

Star Trek: Into Darkness

Benedict Cumberbasch kicks butt as a bad guy, he is becoming a favourite guy of mine. I really liked the first Star Trek movie and this one goes one up on that. I don't think I'll ever be a trekkie but I enjoy these movies. 

Elysium

I was surprised by this one. I didn't know much about it and found myself really enjoying the story.  A dystopian type movie with Matt Damon at his best.

Oblivion

Tom Cruise is a great actor, may be a bit of a weirdo in real life but I love his movies. Another dystopian movie that makes you think and appreciate life. 

Epic

What a cute movie. It was funny and had a great message, some really good voice acting and the actors chosen for the characters was great casting. Lots of familiar voices. 

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Magical fun and very uplifting. Made me believe in magic, all actors were marvelous in this. Jim Carey is quite strange though... 

Iron Man 3

Is this the end of Iron Man? Robert Downey Jnr is back and so is the suit or should I say suits. There's more laughs, action and evil in this installment of the loved iron man franchise.

The Hangover: Part 3

A great wrap up to this triology, the second wasn't all that great so I was hoping this was better than that. It was and so many funny moments with all our favourite people. 

Warm Bodies

Another zombie movie on my favourites list?! Yes, but it wasn't gory either and there was some romance thrown in. Haven't read the book but want to now. 

Monsters University

We get to see Mike as a child and he is so adorable! This wasn't as good as Monsters Inc. but I still thought it was good. The story was little predictable but it was a great way to show us how Sulley & Mike became best friends. 

Oz the Great and Powerful

The wizard of Oz is a favourite movie of mine and it was lovely to see more of wonderful land of Oz. Lovely colours used and a fantastic story.

What movies are on your favourites list from last year?

The Darkest Minds Never Fade

Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken

Rating: 3 out of 5 hearts
507 pages
Released: October 2013
Buy it @ book depository

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her.

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

Review

 

To be honest I was a little disappointed when I first started reading. I loved the first book so much and it took me until halfway through the book before I started to truly enjoy this. I think this could have been because the first part of the book was Ruby being part of the league. Ruby had been taken by the league and helped them with their missions. She had changed so much since she had been with the league, it's like she had become numb and empty and because of this the story also came across a bit dull.

Once Ruby went on her secret mission and we come across some of those favourites characters from the first book does the pace pick up again. I can look past this slow start because the rest of the book was so good.

I mentioned in my review for the first book that I hope we get a bit more information about why/how the kids got their powers, we don't know exactly why/how but we are given hints and I can't wait to see everything revealed in the last book.

There was a jaw dropping moment at the end of the book (not as much as the first) but it was devastating enough. Those who have read this may know what I'm talking about, I almost cried :(

Thank you to Disney Hyperion and Netgalley for my copy.

On the cover 

 

I read this book on my kindle so I didn't really have a proper cover on this. So I've decided to talk about the above cover because I think it looks wicked! To me this looks like a compass crashing through ice and wire which has a lot do with the story. I think this cover is good for guys or girls and makes it look like an epic book!

What I'm reading next: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

13 Favourite Books of 2013

Last year was a great year of books for me. I read lots of fantastic books and It was really hard to try to choose only thirteen. Last year I did a post which had my 12 favourite books but being as though it was 2013, this time I've chosen thirteen favourites. I've cheated a little bit and picked a series as being one book on two occasions, well they were all favourites!

Here is my list of books from last year and reviews listing them from 13 through to 1.

Number 13

The Knife of Never Letting Go & The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

Number 12

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Number 11

Girl Defective by Simmone Howell

Number 10

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Number 9

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Number 8

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Number 7

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Number 6

The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do

Number 5

The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta

Number 4

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Number 3

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

Number 2

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Number 1

The Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

What were your favourite books from last year?